Feeling Froggy

Hello Friends,
Hope your week has gone well??

Gosh, summer has started out of the gate at full speed! It has just been crazy!
I know people, whom I admire, that just seem to thrive on constant activity....go...go...go. I am not one of those people. Constant busyness for me depletes my creativity, steals my strength and makes me a bit of a grump.(how's that for honesty)

SO with the help of my husband, I am finally learning how to slow it down. Sometimes it is saying "no" to perfectly fun invitations, without feeling guilty about it or having to give an excuse "WHY". In the long run I am healthier physically, my relationships are better and even my spiritual life is healthier. As my husband tells me "you are a much more pleasant person when you are creative and not burning the candle at both ends" LOL

There are so many fun events, real needs to meet and opportunities to help out there in this world. However, we have to choose wisely or it will overwhelm us and burn us out . I can actually give more quality time to my husband,family,friends and causes when I am not on the edge of burnout and exhaustion. The constant pressure from all sides, that tell us to "DO MORE" has to be filtered through His wisdom and common sense.

DO any of you struggle with finding those boundaries?

Well confession time...LOL!! When I don't slow down, my poor'ol body usually gives me the ultimate hint.

My BACK gives out!! This last week I've been walking around like Tim Conway's impersonation of the "old man" on the Carol Burnett show.
This kind of back pain you can't move, it hurts to sit or to lay down! Then I see my sweet husband shaking his head........."you over did it again" sigh.

SO in an attempt to "slow down" here are some pictures :) I can still take pictures!!! For me photography is a way of relaxing and spending time thanking God for His amazing art work.
I want to do a watercolor series of frogs. So here are a few reference shots I took of our green little friends that reside at our ponds edge.

Thank You for all your encouragements and comments.Hope you take time to rest, even if for a moment. Take time to explore your artistic side and be creative!!!!

''When you burn the candle at both ends you're not as bright as you think. '' ~ John Mason~



What are the Enemies of the Habit of Rest? by Jay Dennis
1. Busyness – I just don’t have time to rest.
2. Guilt – I will feel guilty.
3. Unrealistic expectations – The job won’t get done if I take the time to rest.
4. Over scheduling – I can’t stop or I will get so behind I will never get caught up.



"When the fire of prayer goes out, the barrenness of busyness takes over." ~George Carey~

"Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself,your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work." ~Ralph Marton~


"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time"~ John Lubbock~

"Competition is such a virtue, and everybody is so busy competing, they have no time for compassion."~Major Owens ~

"Jesus was asleep in a boat during a fierce storm. And behold, there arose a great storm...but Jesus Himself was asleep. (Matt. 8:24) Confidence in the Father allowed Jesus to sleep in the midst of the storm. Our faith(*trust in God) brings us peace no matter what the storm.~Jay Dennis~

*added by me.

"Rest: the sweet sauce of labor"~ Plutarch quote~